Three Row Lexus RX to Debut at LA Auto Show

Posted by Kevin on November 15th, 2017

After months of speculation, the rumors have been confirmed — Lexus will introduce a long wheelbase RX crossover at the LA Auto Show later this month.

Details are sparse right now, with just the teaser image above and a short press release so far:

How can the top-selling Lexus RX get even better? Make more of it. The all-new 2018 RX 350L, now featuring three rows, will make its World Premiere at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show. The hybrid model, the RX 450hL, will also be announced. The RX that paved the way for the luxury crossover segment 20 years ago will retain its stylish figure while also providing more flexibility for passengers.

The RX 350L will be revealed at the Lexus Press Conference taking place on November 29, 2017 at 10:00 am PST in the South Hall at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

In comparing the teaser image with the existing model, there’s no obvious difference outside of the badge:

Lexus RX Current

This is an important detail, as the tail light is always one of the main changes made in a mid-cycle refresh — from this image alone, it would suggest that the RX L will be introduced as a near carbon-copy of the current RX.

And here we are, the most important model in the Lexus lineup will see its most significant change since the introduction of the hybrid powertrain — what do you think?

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Comments
Y
Lexus does not manufacture any cars locally, even this China-only model will be made in Japan.
Great news. I definitely don't think the it will be a "China-only" model though. Not when the Americans love the RX and 3-row LSUVs so much, and not when expanding the hybrid line-up is so important to Lexus' success in Japan and Europe.
Y
By the way I was able to find the LEXUS RX450hL trademark using the Chinese trademark search engine. It was actually submitted nearly a year ago on 03/15/2016 and has recently passed the first review on 01/20/2017, so the document you posted was not really leaked, but publicly available information.
http://www.tmkoo.com/detail/978f4649249857a9967541ee3bb13223/12/
Joaquin Ruhi
For the record, the next major auto shows are New York (press preview days on April 12 and 13) and, a week later, Shanghai (April 19-20 will be press days). It'll be interesting to see what Lexus does about New York. Nothing new, as in Chicago? (thus leaving the full RX L line debut to Shanghai). Or a split RX 350L debut for New York / RX 450hL debut for Shanghai strategy? I'm betting on the latter.

Also, will there be an RX 200tL for markets outside North America? Has such a badge even been copyrighted anywhere? (I doubt it).
CIF
Joaquin Ruhi
For the record, the next major auto shows are New York (press preview days on April 12 and 13) and, a week later, Shanghai (April 19-20 will be press days). It'll be interesting to see what Lexus does about New York. Nothing new, as in Chicago? (thus leaving the full RX L line debut to Shanghai). Or a split RX 350L debut for New York / RX 450hL debut for Shanghai strategy? I'm betting on the latter.

Also, will there be an RX 200tL for markets outside North America? Has such a badge even been copyrighted anywhere? (I doubt it).
It would be a pleasant surprise to see a new debut or two from Toyota or Lexus at the New York Show.
Y
ydooby
Great news. I definitely don't think the it will be a "China-only" model though. Not when the Americans love the RX and 3-row LSUVs so much, and not when expanding the hybrid line-up is so important to Lexus' success in Japan and Europe.
Just found Lexus' European trademark filing of the RX450hL on 03/14/2016, so there goes the "China-only" rumor.
https://euipo.europa.eu/eSearch/#details/trademarks/015217417
View attachment 2136
Joaquin Ruhi
Joaquin Ruhi
For the record, the next major auto shows are New York (press preview days on April 12 and 13) and, a week later, Shanghai (April 19-20 will be press days). It'll be interesting to see what Lexus does about New York. Nothing new, as in Chicago? (thus leaving the full RX L line debut to Shanghai). Or a split RX 350L debut for New York / RX 450hL debut for Shanghai strategy? I'm betting on the latter.

Also, will there be an RX 200tL for markets outside North America? Has such a badge even been copyrighted anywhere? (I doubt it).
The New York Int'l. Auto Show just posted its 2017 press conference schedule:
http://www.autoshowny.com/press/#/press-conferences

No Lexus press conference at all. So, barring the very slim likelihood of a stand-alone event on Tuesday night 11 April, it looks like RX L will be a no-show at the Big Apple, leaving the full RX L line world debut to Shanghai.

Further dimming the hopes of a New York Lexus stand-alone event on Tuesday night 11 April, the press conference schedule lists Jeep (presumably for the "Hellcat" Grand Cherokee Trackhawk) but not Dodge. The latter brand has been making such a big advance fuss (with 10 gazillion teasers and videos) of the Challenger Demon that this will probably be the big Tuesday night pre-show press reveal.
Joaquin Ruhi
Hmmm... with the Lexus Global Newsroom press release for Auto Shanghai 2017 ( http://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/detail/15967629/ ) mentioning only the NX mid-life refresh and the Asian debut of the LS 500h, it appears that CarNewsChina was mistaken in its prediction that RX L would debut there. When and where, then, will RX L make its first appearance? At an event outside the major auto show circuit? At Pebble Beach in August? At one of the major Fall auto shows (Frankfurt, Tokyo and Los Angeles)? Or during calendar year 2018?
mikeavelli
I am 99.9% certain it won't be in NYC.... i do know Lexus Eastern is hosting an event I will try to find out more.
krew
krew [​IMG]

The extended crossover keep the same wheelbase as the current model.
View the original article post
Gecko
Well, at least the RX now has rear overhang to match the front overhang. :joy:

In all seriousness, Lexus should be rather embarrassed with this all the way around. They've been talking about the idea for a decade and all they can do now is extend the rear overhang? Come on...
James
Can you even fit a third row in the RX if you don't make it larger?
Joaquin Ruhi
James
Can you even fit a third row in the RX if you don't make it larger?
I guess you can, given that the current Toyota Highlander (sold mostly in 3-row guise) has the same identical 109.8" wheelbase and 192.5" overall length as the current 2-row RX. If the MagX rendering is correct, they're just extending the rear overhang on RX to compensate for the fact that its rear styling is more sloped than the more squared-off Highlander.

Still, the "L" when appended to a model designation usually implies a longer wheelbase. Is this an exception where the "L"means added length on the same wheelbase? Or is that rendering wrong?

As to the rumored launch schedule, if only RX 450hL is unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show (as MagX seems to suggest), will RX 350L make its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show roughly a week later?
M
First ever Lexus minivan but just call it R-class competitor ;)
Trexus
Funny how we were just posting about the RX L. Surprised Lexus won't increase the wheelbase but just extend the rear end of the RX. The Highlander has decent room in the third row and I liked it. Hopefully Lexus can pull this off. I would have gotten an RX L if it was out sooner but went with the GX instead. I look forward to this new RX variant. This will definitely increase sales of the RX.
Andyl
From the picture of this 3-row RX-L, it doesn't look like the 3rd row has good legroom. In fact, it looks cramped to me. I wonder who are actual their direct competitors?
mikeavelli
We have a RX and I am also shocked the wheelbase won't be stretched. The Highlander 7 seater is quite for kids only in the back. I can't fit back there but I do fit in a GX/LX for a short trip. I guess some ingenuity will be used!!

I already showed the wife that pic and she got excited hahahaha....rarely happens for a car.
Joaquin Ruhi
A week-old article from Japan's Excite website offers additional bits of information on RX L.

Original Japanese-language link: http://www.excite.co.jp/News/car/20170622/NikkanCarsensor_62460.html?_p=2

As run through Google Translate: https://translate.google.com/transl...nCarsensor_62460.html?_p=2&edit-text=&act=url

Their most pertinent facts and comments:

- Since RX L is expected to maintain much of RX's C/D pillar and rear quarter window design, expect 3rd-row seat passengers to have poor outside visibility.

- On-sale date for RX L in Japan is expected to be January 2018.

- Exterior dimensions for RX L are predicted to be
5050 mm (198.8") overall length (an increase of 60mm / 6.3" over RX)
1895 mm (74.6") overall width (same for both)
1710 mm overall height (a 10mm / 0.4" drop for RX L that is probably either a rounding error or a difference in tire height)
Alexander Li
The added rear overhang does affect handling negatively.....
mmcartalk
Alexander Li
The added rear overhang does affect handling negatively.....
Unless the handling-degradation is serious, or to the point where it affects safety (and I don't think Lexus would put something like that into production), I don't see where it's a big deal. One is buying an SUV, not a sports-car.
maiaramdan
It will be a major loss
S
Talk of a Lexus crossover SUV with third-row seats dates back quite a few years. Lexus even rolled out a concept previewing such a model as early as the 2003 New York auto show, the HPX.

Lexus put off a production version, deeming the segment too mainstream for a luxury player. Instead, Lexus offered its rugged GX and LX body-on-frame SUV to buyers seeking a third row. Now, however, the allure of crossover sales is simply too strong to ignore.

Lexus engineers are out testing a 3-row, 7-seat version of the mid-size RX, and a report from Japan claims the vehicle will debut in October at the 2017 Tokyo auto show. Modifying the fourth-generation RX to fit a third row should be straight forward given the vehicle’s corporate cousin, the Toyota Highlander, already has three rows.

According to Mag-X, the 3-row RX, to be badged an RX L, will maintain the wheelbase of the current 2-row model but feature an extended rear. To provide sufficient headroom for the third-row, the roof will remain flat towards the rear instead of sloping down like on the 2-row model.

In the United States, the vehicle should be offered in both RX 350 and RX 450h trim, though perhaps not both at launch. Potential rivals include the Audi Q7, Infiniti JX and Volvo XC90.

What’s puzzling is why it’s taken Lexus so long to launch a 3-row crossover. The RX is the brand’s most popular model and a 3-row crossover has been the number one demand from dealers for several years now. Cadillac is another luxury brand that’s been dragging its feet when it comes to 3-row crossovers.

The Tokyo auto show opens its doors to the media on October 25. To follow our coverage on the event, head to our dedicated hub.
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/...ef7&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook









mikeavelli
Going to sell like hotcakes.... I wonder how badly the GX will be affected
S




LexusTechSA
https://www.motor1.com/news/177685/lexus-rx-three-row-spied/

View attachment 2531 View attachment 2532 View attachment 2533 View attachment 2534 View attachment 2535
Gecko
The proportions of this thing are so bad... there's like 3 feet of front overhang and 2 feet in the rear.

Here's to hoping Lexus does better next time around... maybe TNGA will help.
krew
Gecko
The proportions of this thing are so bad... there's like 3 feet of front overhang and 2 feet in the rear.

Here's to hoping Lexus does better next time around... maybe TNGA will help.
NO IT'S AMAZING.

LexusTechSA
[​IMG]
LOOK AT THAT APPROACH ANGLE.
krew
Three Row Lexus RX Spotted in Southern California

[​IMG]

The third row is visible in these detailed spy shots.
View the original article post
Gecko
krew
NO IT'S AMAZING.

LOOK AT THAT APPROACH ANGLE.
maiaramdan
I wish if Lexus postponed it totally till the next generation RX
This is pure definition of mess
krew
maiaramdan
I wish if Lexus postponed it totally till the next generation RX
This is pure definition of mess
I try hard not to judge a car by its spy shots, but this is a tough one.

K